WRITING TUTORIAL #1:
INTRODUCTION TO THE ESSAY PROPOSAL
TUT#2102/2102
TA: Mustafa-Afandy Shouia
[Link]@[Link]
OBJECTIVES
By the end of this presentation, you will be able to:
Understand the requirements of the essay proposal
assignment, know the due dates, and understand critical issues.
Get a head-start on you essay proposal
Identify what makes a good essay proposal
Identify resources that will help you with the assignment
Why is the proposal helpful
Argument development
Allowstime to improve your work before the final
essay submission
Writingis a process, not a one-time event. So, it is
essential to start writing early.
ESSAY PROPOSAL – DUE
NOVEMBER 3RD AT 11:59PM
Assignment Phase Due Date Evaluation
Essay Proposal November 3, 11.59 pm 10%
Final Written Essay February 23 20%
• Choose one of the four topics; topic chosen for essay
proposal should be the one chosen for the essay
Submit assignment through the Essay Proposal
Sheet on Quercus
Assignment will be automatically evaluated
through Turnitin.
Resubmissions are not allowed. Submit wisely.
Late assignments
Late penalty
3% off/day including for a maximum of 7 days
After 7 days, the mark is zero
Extension Requests need documentation
REQUIRED PAGE ELEMENTS
• No title page
• Top of the first page: List your name (first name, surname), student number,
title of the essay, and the date of submission
• 12-point Times New Roman or Arial typeface
• At least 2.5cm margins all around
• Double-space throughout
• Number all pages
• Use the style of citation (American Antiquity/SAA)
PLAGIARISM
Critical Information !!
No quotes allowed
No disguised copying
All should be in own words with the idea
referenced
Your integrity is not worth risking
PLAGIARISM VS. DISGUISED COPYING
(EXAMPLE)
Direct Quotation (not recommended)
“With regard to human futures and apocalypticism, one of the examples explored in
this article has positive expectations for our superiority, for our dominance over the
planet, and for a good life for humans.” (Singler 2019: 157)
Disguised Copying (not recommended and considered plagiarism)
Regarding people’s futures and apocalypticism, one of the studies explored in this
reading has positive prospects for our superiority, for our hegemony over the
planet, and for a valuable life for people.
Paraphrasing (acceptable and recommended when citing the sources)
One of the examples cited by Singler (2019) suggests that humans have much to
gain [from AI], as it will not inhibit our quality of life nor our place as the dominant
species on our planet (2019: 157).
PROF. KALMAR SHOR VIDEO ON PLAGIARISM
WRITING RESOURCES
• College Writing Centres
[Link]
• Library Research Guide for ANT 100
[Link]
What is peer reviewed?
How do I find peer reviewed articles?
Do I need to use the library?
Is this article relevant for my topic?
Reading Critically
Writing must be preceded by reading. After selecting
your topic, start exploring the sources to locate ideas
that could support or counter your argument.
Plan to read articles MULTIPLE times.
Differentiate between the author’s claims/arguments and the evidence they use
to support their argument.
Highlight/underline words that you don’t know. Look these up.
Have a highlighting system!
Here’s an example:
Green: Keywords (1-2 max)
(words that keep recurring in the text the authors argument)
Blue: Authors’ important statements
(1-2 sentences each: thesis statement, purpose, hypotheses, etc.)
Pink: important evidence or examples
(keep it to short concise phrases)
Yellow: other important information relevant to my project that I think I will want to
use/paraphrase (don’t highlight everything!)
Activity #2: Freewrite and Discussion
Always exercise Free-write on your chosen topic and
don’t hesitate to discuss it with your peers, family, and
friends. (Free-writing is writing without taking the pen off the
paper or editing)
Consider the following while freewriting your topic:
Why did you choose this topic?
What do you already know about this topic?
What gaps in your knowledge will you need to fill?
Activity #3: Build a Thesis
Which do you think is a better pet,
a cat or a dog?
• Pick a side/stance
• Formulate it in one sentence
• What are your reasons?
• Why might somebody disagree?
What is your stance on this topic?
(State as complete sentence)
Why do you believe this?
(State your reasons in a “because” clause)
Why would someone disagree with this?
(State the opposing opinion in an “although” clause)
Complete thesis statement
(may need to be revised or simplified)
=
“Although” Clause (if warranted)
+
Stance on the topic
+
“Because” clause
ADDITIONAL TIPS (1):
Thesis statement (Build a “toxic relationship” with your thesis): keep it in your
mind while writing. Everything you write should be related to your thesis,
whether as a supporting argument, a counter-argument, or an example.
The argument development: Imagine an uninformed and “belligerent” reader.
Don’t rely on common sense; explain your ideas briefly and concisely. Also,
imagine counterarguments and try to refute them, even indirectly.
ADDITIONAL TIPS (2):
The writing process: State your most important ideas first.
The writing process: Remember not to contradict yourself.
When citing sources/literature: try to engage in conversation with the
different perspectives in the sources, not just summarizing them.
Good Luck